Silver nanoparticles ink synthesis for conductive patterns fabrication using inkjet printing technology

Abstract

In this paper we present silver nanoparticles ink synthesis targeting conductive patterns for micro fabricated devices by inkjet printing technology. The well dispersed nanoparticles ink was composed of silver colloid with an average particle diameter less than 10 nm. These nanoparticles were protected by a capping layer of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) even at silver concentration of 20 wt%. Stable aqueous inks were formulated by using a combination of solvent and co-solvents and under vigorous stirring. Various factors affecting the adhesion between the ink and the substrate were investigated, such as solvent and co-solvent content. The ink containing 20 wt% silver has a viscosity of about 9.5 cP and a surface tension of 32 to 36 mN m −1 at room temperature, meeting inkjet printer requirements. The ink stored under ambient conditions was stable against aggregation for more than one month. Silver nanoparticles patterns have been successfully printed on various substrates.

Conductive silver inks and their applications in printed and flexible electronics

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Outline:

Conductive inks are widely investigated area in the recent years due to its popularity in printed electronics (PE), flexible electronics (FE) and it comprises specific and unique applications which belong to a whole next level of future technology. Since then many improvements has been applied to bring it to the current advanced state [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] , conductive silver ink is being investigated for a wide variety of applications [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and also blended with other composites [17][18][19][20][21] .

In printing technology silver conductive inks has major role in electronic applications.…”

Manufacture, Applications, and Opportunities of Thin Film Palladium-Silver (PdAg) Alloys: A Review

“…Pd, [146][147][148] Ag [148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156] and PdAg [157][158][159][160][161] nanoparticles have been known for many years and find use in a wide range of applications in their own right, but these uses are beyond the scope of this review and as such are not discussed further. Such particles also find use as precursors to PdAg films, 109,113 and as such an overview of their preparation is presented.…”

“…179 These are well documented for a variety of applications, such conductive traces, sensor electrodes and catalysts when prepared on a variety of substrates including glass, plastics and even fabrics. 18,19, These are most commonly deposited from reactive solutions 25,26,[94][95][96][97][98]101,103,105,111,[114][115][116] or nanoparticulate suspensions 18,19,102,[104][105][106][107][108][109][110]112,113,117,118 using inkjet printing, though some researchers have taken a hybrid route. 99 The potential for printing of PdAg films using inkjet printing will be discussed in detail.…”

“…The two common types of ink used for the inkjet printing of conductive metallic films are either nanoparticle-based nanoparticulate 18,19,102,[104][105][106][107][108][109][110]112,113,117,118 or reactive solution-based 25,26,[94][95][96][97][98]101,103,105,111,[114][115][116] inks. Solution based inks can be further sub-divided into organic 26 or inorganic, 25 depending upon the nature of their solution and decomposition chemistry.…”

“…As with all particulate suspensions, there is a propensity to block or clog the narrow orifices used in inkjet printing heads, though the use of capping agents can mitigate this. 105,186 Several commercial inks containing Pd and Ag nanoparticles exist for screen printing applications, and similar Ag or Pd inkjet-printable formulations have been developed, 8,19,102,[104][105][106][107][108][109][110]112,113,117,118 but to our knowledge, both metals have never been simultaneously inkjet printed together from nanoparticulate inks.…”